Gov’t to use various ways to address El Niño impacts in PH – Marcos

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a media interview in Vietnam on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. In Basilan on Saturday, March 2, 2024, Marcos gave assurance that the government will apply different approaches to deal with the effects of El Niño in different parts of the country. He said the government has observed that while there are droughts in Luzon and Visayas, floods occur in Mindanao amid the weather phenomenon – hence, calling for various ways to address the problem.Photo from RTV Malacañang.

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave assurance Saturday that the government will apply different approaches to deal with the effects of El Niño in different parts of the country.

According to Marcos, the government has observed that while there are droughts in Luzon and Visayas, floods occur in Mindanao amid the weather phenomenon.

“Well, Mindanao has a different effect of the El Niño, in various ways. Although up in Luzon and the Visayas, especially Western Visayas, we have a very very large effect of drying up in water supply. Dito naman, dito sa South, nagkakabaha naman tayo (While here in the South, we have floods). So, we have a different response. So, we will continue to do that,” he said.

READ: Marcos revives Task Force El Niño as threat of drought looms

Marcos also said that the government will now have to prioritize the building of infrastructure to ensure the supply of fresh water for irrigation in agriculture and fisheries.

“And what we are trying to do, especially now, because we are trying to develop the livelihood, the agri-fisheries, as I mentioned. All of these things will need a good supply of fresh water for irrigation and also fresh supply of water for consumers. And those – that infrastructure will now have to start to build,” he noted.

Marcos made the statements during an interview with reporters following a peace offering ceremony at the Kasanyangan Monument in Basilan.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said drought from the ongoing El Niño may affect 30 areas nationwide toward the end of March.